While at the Democratic National Convention, Mayor Nagin commented about incoming Gustav,
"This will be a good test for us, I wish we didn't have to go through this test, and I hope this thing veers at the last minute, because right now, these are the best levees that we have."
I'm grateful to say that the levees did hold and the storm cooperated. St. Bernard and New Orleans were spared the severe damage we saw just three years ago in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
When I watched Nagin's interview with Anderson Cooper from Denver last week, I wasn't sure what I thought of his word choice... 'test.' Now that we're through it, I can see a different perspective.
Passing the test of Hurricane Gustav could propel the much needed rebuilding work that is still leftover from Katrina. New Orleans and Louisiana have proven that lessons were, in fact, learned and that state and local and even federal governments can effectively evacuate over 2 million people in the face of disaster.
My personal prayers revolved around people this time, not the weather-- for evacuees and officials to be clear-headed, making good decisions. I think these prayers (and many others) were answered.
In our own staff at the St. Bernard Project, I can see the unity forming as we pulled together and prepared for the worst, while hoping and rejoicing when those efforts became unnecessary. Storms and tests are scary, but sometimes essential to taking the next step.
Zack, one of our directors and co-founders, has also started to blog. Here's his perspective.
